Irish schools have been warned to cancel any trips they have organised or are planning to organise to the French capital.

The advice was issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs after receiving updated instructions from the French Ministry for Education.

Speaking earlier, Minister Flanagan said: “I ask Irish schools planning trips to France in the coming days to actively engage with their tour operators, airlines and with any partner schools in France that they may be coordinating their trips with.

“While these new instructions from the French authorities may cause some inconvenience to affected schools, we must take all security instructions very seriously.

“My Department and our Embassy in Paris continues to work closely with the French authorities at this time.”

The Department’s new travel advice reads: “As part of the national state of emergency, the French Ministry of Education has cancelled all school trips to the Île-de-France region – the area surrounding and including Paris - until 29 November. All other school trips – including those intending to transit through the Paris airports - must obtain advance authorisation from the relevant local authorities.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade recommends that Irish schools planning to take groups to the Île-de-France region between now and 29 November follow the French Ministry of Education’s advice not to travel.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also recommends that Irish schools planning to take groups elsewhere in France between now and 29 November contact their partner schools and tour organisers in order to confirm such trips meet with the necessary authorisation requirements.”